High voltage regulator for low voltage integrated circuit processes

ABSTRACT

An improved voltage reduction circuit and method is described that incorporates an independently controllable back bias voltage for increased gate/bulk fields in isolation well voltage reduction transistors that couple to and reduce external voltages that are too high for the integrated circuit process technology limits. The improved voltage reduction circuit and method allows for a higher overall available voltage and current flow for regulation by the circuit. Additionally, the improved voltage reduction circuit and method reduces voltage reduction circuit size by allowing for efficient implementation in a single isolation well. Furthermore, the improved voltage reduction circuit and method includes a back bias voltage control circuit that turns on and regulates the back bias voltage and avoids the problem of reverse bias conditions.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/184,756, filed Jun. 28, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,785,161, titled“HIGH VOLTAGE REGULAR FOR LOW VOLTAGE INTEGRATED CIRCUIT PROCESSES” andcommonly assigned, the entire contents of which are incorporated hereinby reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuits and inparticular the present invention relates high voltage regulators andvoltage reduction circuits utilized in low voltage integrated circuits.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most integrated circuits and memory devices are designed to operateusing a specific voltage power supply, such as 5V+/−10%, that theirinternal process technologies are designed to tolerate. In modernintegrated circuits and memories, the need for higher voltage powersupplies is reduced as the process feature sizes, such as transistors,are reduced and operating speeds increase. However, in many situationsthe externally supplied high voltage is fixed by past usage, convention,or industry specification and is unable to be easily reduced to for thelower voltage tolerant process technologies.

Memory devices are typically provided as internal storage areas in thecomputer. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the formof integrated circuit chips. There are several different types of memoryused in modern electronics, one common type is RAM (random-accessmemory). RAM is characteristically found in use as main memory in acomputer environment. RAM refers to read and write memory; that is, youcan both write data into RAM and read data from RAM. This is in contrastto ROM, which permits you only to read data. Most RAM is volatile, whichmeans that it requires a steady flow of electricity to maintain itscontents. As soon as the power is turned off, whatever data was in RAMis lost.

Computers almost always contain a small amount of read-only memory (ROM)that holds instructions for starting up the computer. Unlike RAM, ROMcannot be written to. An EEPROM (electrically erasable programmableread-only memory) is a special type non-volatile ROM that can be erasedby exposing it to an electrical charge. EEPROM comprise a large numberof memory cells having electrically isolated gates (floating gates).Data is stored in the memory cells in the form of charge on the floatinggates. Charge is transported to or removed from the floating gates byspecialized programming and erase operations, respectively.

Yet another type of non-volatile memory is a Flash memory. A Flashmemory is a type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocksinstead of one byte at a time. A typical Flash memory comprises a memoryarray, which includes a large number of memory cells. Each of the memorycells includes a floating gate field-effect transistor capable ofholding a charge. The data in a cell is determined by the presence orabsence of the charge in the floating gate. The cells are usuallygrouped into sections called “erase blocks”. Each of the cells within anerase block can be electrically programmed in a random basis by chargingthe floating gate. The charge can be removed from the floating gate by ablock erase operation, wherein all floating gate memory cells in theerase block are erased in a single operation. For ease of access andmanagement the erase blocks of a non-volatile memory device aretypically arranged in “banks” or segments.

Both RAM and ROM random access memory devices have memory cells that aretypically arranged in an array of rows and columns. During operation, arow (page) is accessed and then memory cells can be randomly accessed onthe page by providing column addresses. FIG. 1 shows a simplifieddiagram of a system 128 incorporating a Flash memory 100 of the priorart coupled to a processing device or controller 102. The Flash memory100 has an address interface 104, a control interface 106, and a datainterface 108 that are each coupled to the processing device 102 toallow memory read and write accesses. Internally to the Flash memorydevice a control state machine 110 directs internal operation of theFlash memory device; managing the Flash memory array 112 and updatingRAM control registers and non-volatile erase block management registers114. The RAM control registers and tables 114 are utilized by thecontrol state machine 110 during operation of the Flash memory 100. TheFlash memory array 112 contains a sequence of memory banks or segments116. Each bank 116 is organized logically into a series of erase blocks(not shown). Memory access addresses are received on the addressinterface 104 of the Flash memory 100 and divided into a row and columnaddress portions. On a read access the row address is latched anddecoded by row decode circuit 120, which selects and activates a rowpage (not shown) of memory cells across a selected memory bank. The bitvalues encoded in the output of the selected row of memory cells arecoupled from a local bitline (not shown) to a global bitline (not shown)and detected by sense amplifiers 122 associated with the memory bank.The column address of the access is latched and decoded by the columndecode circuit 124. The output of the column decode circuit selects thedesired column data from the sense amplifier outputs and coupled to thedata buffer 126 for transfer from the memory device through the datainterface 108. On a write access the row decode circuit 120 selects therow page and column decode circuit selects write sense amplifiers 122.In programming a Flash memory, a charge pump circuit 130 is firstactivated to provide a higher programming voltage to the floating gatememory cells of the memory array 112 than the voltage supplied tooperate the memory 100. Data values to be written are coupled from thedata buffer 126 to the write sense amplifiers 122 selected by the columndecode circuit 124 and written to the selected floating gate memorycells (not shown) of the memory array 112. The written cells are thenreselected by the row and column decode circuits 120, 124 and senseamplifiers 122 so that they can be read to verify that the correctvalues have been programmed into the selected memory cells.

Many Flash memories support fast or “factory” programming wherein theFlash memory is rapidly programmed with data. Instead of the internalcharge pump, the factory programming mode typically utilizes an exteriorhigh voltage power source that is more capable of supplying the powerand current demanded in rapid programming. This external high voltageinput is typically reduced and regulated for internal use by a regulatorcircuit the Flash memory. In addition to Flash memories, many otherintegrated circuits and memories utilize such an external high voltageinput and regulator for internal operations. A problem with externalhigh voltage input in integrated circuits is that the modern processtechnologies are in many cases unable to tolerate the field or voltagelevel of the external high voltage input. Additionally, as stated above,in many situations the externally supplied high voltage is fixed by pastusage, convention, or industry specification and cannot be easilyaltered by the integrated circuit designer.

One such manner of operating a voltage regulator off an input voltagethat is higher than the process breakdown voltage level is by theutilization of a voltage reduction circuit which utilizes what is termed“back bias”. In voltage reduction circuits utilizing back bias, an inputMOS transistor(s) that is coupled to the external input voltage isformed in one or more separate isolation wells, isolated from the restof the integrated circuit. Isolation wells are electrically isolatedwells created by forming a well of oppositely doped silicon in the bulkmaterial that, in turn, contains an area of silicon that is doped thesame creating an inherent reversed biased PN diode junction thatisolates the circuits formed in the well. The input transistors are“diode connected” with the gate coupled to the drain so that theyoperate as a two terminal device in the threshold region and drop athreshold value of voltage potential. The bulk material inside theisolation wells is coupled to the source of the input transistor(s) sothat the voltage across the transistor(s) of the voltage reductioncircuit formed in the isolation well(s) is generally only a thresholddrop and well within the process limits of the transistor(s). One ormore voltage reduction transistors in on or more isolation wells can beserially coupled to produce a larger voltage reduction. In this mannerexisting process steps can be utilized to handle an external inputvoltage that is higher than the process technology limits are withoutadditional special or expensive process steps.

Voltage reduction circuits that utilize drain coupled back bias cansuffer from reduced current flow because of the limited voltageavailable for generating the conducting carrier channel in the MOStransistor. With source coupled back bias only a threshold drop ofpotential is applied to the gate/bulk of the transistor to generate theconduction channel. This can restrict the final voltage and current flowavailable to be utilized and/or regulated by the integrated circuit.Also, the application of a rigidly fixed back bias cannot easily beadjusted for circuit needs and input voltages and/or reduce theavailable voltage for regulation. An additional problem can be the sizerequirements of a voltage reduction circuit with multiple isolationwells. A further issue is the possibility of a reverse bias conditionwhen the external voltage input is pulled to ground and a voltage isbeing applied to the isolation well through the back bias/voltageregulator connection. In this situation it is possible for the inherentPN diode junctions of the MOS transistor's source/drain to forward biasand source current into the grounded external voltage connection.

For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below whichwill become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the present specification, that there is a need in the artfor an improved voltage reduction circuit and voltage regulator for lowvoltage process integrated circuits and memories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned problems with high voltage reduction and regulationfor low voltage process integrated circuits and memories are addressedby the present invention and will be understood by reading and studyingthe following specification.

In one embodiment, a voltage reduction circuit comprises an isolationwell containing one or more serially coupled metal oxide semiconductor(MOS) transistors, wherein each MOS transistor has its gate coupled toits drain to operate in diode coupled mode and wherein a first MOStransistor of the one or more serially coupled MOS transistors iscoupled to an external voltage input, and a back bias control circuit toapply a back bias voltage to the isolation well.

In another embodiment, a voltage regulator circuit comprises a voltagereduction circuit coupled to an external input, a back bias controlcircuit coupled to the voltage reduction circuit, and a voltageregulation circuit coupled to the voltage reduction circuit.

In yet another embodiment, a back bias control circuit comprises one ormore serially coupled input resistors, wherein each input resistor isformed in an isolation well and wherein a first input resistor iscoupled to an external voltage input, one or more serially coupledoutput resistors, wherein each output resistor is formed in an isolationwell and a final output resistor is coupled to a lower power rail, and aschmitt trigger coupled to a final input resistor of the one or moreserially coupled input resistors and to a first output resistor of theone or more serially coupled output resistors, wherein the schmitttrigger selectively enables and disables at a predetermined voltagethreshold value of the external voltage input.

In a further embodiment, a Flash memory device comprises a memory arraycontaining a plurality of floating gate memory cells, an addressinterface coupled to a row address decoder and a column address decoder,a control circuit coupled to the memory array and the address interface,and a voltage regulator circuit, wherein the voltage regulator circuitis coupled an external voltage input and the memory array and is adaptedto provide a programming current and a programming voltage when theFlash memory device operates in fast programming mode and wherein thevoltage regulator circuit comprises a voltage reduction circuit, a backbias control circuit, and a voltage regulation circuit.

In yet a further embodiment, a system comprises a processor, and a Flashmemory device coupled to the processor, wherein the Flash memory devicecomprises a memory array containing a plurality of floating gate memorycells, an address interface coupled to a row address decoder and acolumn address decoder, a control circuit coupled to the memory arrayand the address interface, and a voltage regulator circuit, wherein thevoltage regulator circuit is coupled an external voltage input and thememory array and is adapted to provide a programming current and aprogramming voltage when the Flash memory device operates in fastprogramming mode and wherein the voltage regulator circuit comprises avoltage reduction circuit a back bias control circuit, and a voltageregulation circuit.

In another embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises a voltagereduction circuit coupled to an external input, a back bias controlcircuit coupled to the voltage reduction circuit, and a voltageregulation circuit coupled to the voltage reduction circuit.

In yet another embodiment, a method of operating a voltage reductioncircuit comprises receiving an external voltage at an integratedcircuit, applying an optimal back bias voltage to a voltage reductioncircuit that is formed in an isolation well when the external voltagereaches a predetermined threshold value, and reducing the externalvoltage with the voltage reduction circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of a system incorporating a processor anda Flash memory device of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a regulator circuit embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a back bias control circuit of anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof,and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferredembodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention, and it is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electricalchanges may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thepresent invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, notto be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventionis defined only by the claims.

To deal with the above detailed issues of problems with high voltageregulation for integrated circuits and memories with low voltageprocesses, embodiments of the present invention utilize an improvedvoltage reduction circuit that applies an optimal, separately generated,back bias voltage to the isolation well of the voltage reductioncircuit, increasing the voltage available to generate conductionchannels in the MOS transistors and resulting in increased voltageavailable to regulated and increased current flow. Embodiments of thepresent invention also allow all reduction transistors to share a commonisolation well, reducing overall circuit size. Integrated circuitsincorporating embodiments of the present invention allow for highvoltage external inputs to be utilized with low voltage processtechnologies. Additionally, memories incorporating embodiments of thepresent invention allow for use of low voltage process technologies withlegacy factory fast programming supply voltages.

An example of voltage reduction circuits with back bias are described inthe U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,932, filed Jan. 7, 1998, titled “Supply VoltageReduction Circuit For Integrated Circuit” by Christopher J. Chevallier,which is commonly assigned and is incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram of a voltage regulation circuit 200 thatcontains a voltage reduction circuit 202 which utilizes back biasvoltage to allow it to accept higher input voltages than what theintegrated circuit process limits allow. Additionally, the voltageregulation circuit 200 contains a level shifter circuit 236 to enableoperation of the voltage regulation circuit 200, and a comparatorcircuit 260 to operate a regulating transistor 282 and control thevoltage regulator circuit's output.

In the voltage reduction circuit 202 of FIG. 2, a sequence of seriallycoupled NMOS voltage reduction transistors 204, 206, 208, and 210 areformed in an isolation well (N-well) of the integrated circuit or memorycontaining the voltage regulation circuit 200. Each voltage reductiontransistor 204, 206, 208, and 210 is diode coupled, with eachtransistor's gate coupled to its drain. The first transistor 204 in theseries is coupled to the external high voltage input, Vpp 212, of 12V.In operation, voltage reduction transistors 204, 206, and 208 each dropa threshold voltage across itself and reduces the external input voltageof 12V to an output at circuit node Vppin 214 of 10V when in operation.Voltage reduction transistor 210 is optionally added to the voltagereduction circuit 202 to gain an additional threshold voltage drop onthe external voltage input by disconnecting circuit link 216 andconnecting circuit link 218. A back bias of 4V, which allows for the 2Vrequired for an integrated process with a 10V limit to accept a 12vinput plus an additional 2v margin for voltage spikes, is applied to theisolation N-well (and thus to the voltage reduction transistors 204,206, 208, and 210) from the resistor bridge formed from resistors 224,226, 228. The 4V of applied back bias allows an optimal gate/bulkvoltage of 8V to be available for the transistors 204, 206, 208, and 210of the voltage reduction circuit 202. To supply the 4V of back bias aresistor bridge formed from resistors 224, 226, and 228 is coupled tovoltage input Vread 220 via control of transistor 222 and to ground viatransistor 230. Transistors 222 and 230 are turned on under the controlof signal t_vpp5v, which is high when the external input voltage Vpp 212is greater than 5V. The back bias voltage is coupled to the isolationwell and voltage reduction transistors 204, 206, 208, and 210 frombetween resistors 224 and 226 of the resistor bridge. It is noted thatthe resistor bridge formed from resistors 224, 226, and 228 can betrimmed to provide differing amounts of back bias, allowing the voltagereduction circuit to be adjusted for differing voltage inputs.

In operation of the voltage regulator circuit 200, the level shiftercircuit 236 enables the active operation of the voltage regulatorcircuit 200 by translating the signal vpp5v_238 (active low when Vpp 212is greater than 5V) to higher voltage levels on node crntdis 298 tooperate the circuits and transistors of the voltage regulator circuit200 and enable its operation. The level shifter circuit 236 is enabledby voltage signal Vread 220 on transistors 232 and 234. The signalvpp5v_238 (active low) is coupled through inverters 240 and 242, whichwhen vpp5v_238 is active, enable transistor 244 and disable transistor246 of the level shifter circuit 236. With transistor 246 disabled,current flow through transistor 234, resistor 250 and (PMOS) transistor254 from Vppin 214 is curtailed, raising the voltage on the gate of(PMOS) transistor 252 and disabling current flow from Vppin 214 throughit. The enabled transistor 244 pulls current through enabled transistor232 and resistor 248. As transistor 252 is disabled by the high voltageon its gate, the voltage on circuit node, crntdis 298, is pulled low.The low voltage on crntdis 298 enables (PMOS) transistor 254, furtherpulling the voltage on the gate of transistor 252 high and enforcing thelevel shift. The low voltage on crntdis 298 enables operation of thevoltage regulator circuit 200 by enabling (PMOS) transistors 256 and258.

When vpp5v_238 is inactive and the voltage regulator circuit 200disabled, transistor 244 is disabled and transistor 246 is enabled byoperation of vpp5v_through inverters 240 and 242. With transistor 246enabled, current flows through transistor 234, resistor 250 and (PMOS)transistor 254 lowering the voltage on the gate of (PMOS) transistor 252and enabling it. The disabled transistor 244 stops current flow throughenabled transistor 232 and resistor 248. As transistor 252 is enabled bythe low voltage on its gate, the voltage on circuit node, crntdis 298,is pulled high. The high voltage on crntdis 298 additionally disables(PMOS) transistor 254, further pulling the voltage on the gate oftransistor 252 low and thus enforcing the level shift. The high voltageon crntdis 298 then disables operation of the voltage regulator circuit200 by disabling operation of (PMOS) transistors 256 and 258.

The comparator circuit 260, when enabled by vpp5v_238 and crntdis 298,compares the output voltage V7 299 against a bandgap reference voltageVbg 268 and from this controls the operation of the regulationtransistor 282 to regulate output voltage V7 299. The comparator circuit260 is enabled by current flowing through transistors 272 and 256.Voltage signal vpp5v_238, when active low, is level translated withtransistors 292, 294 and 296 to drive the gate of transistor 272,turning it on and enabling current flow from the comparator circuit 260to the lower power rail or ground. Vpp5v_238 through the leveltranslator circuit 236 also drives the signal line crntdis 298 low.Crntdis 298 is coupled to the gate of (PMOS) transistor 256 and, whendriven low, activates transistor 256 and enables current flow from Vppin214 into the comparator circuit 260. Crndis 298 is also coupled to thegate of (PMOS) transistor 258 and, when active low, enables current flowthrough transistor 258 and the resistor bridge formed by resistors 284and 286 to the lower power rail from the regulator output V7 299. Arepresentative voltage signal NC 297 of the regulated output V7 299 istaken from between resistors 284 and 286 of the resistor bridge andcoupled to the gate of transistor 270 of the comparator circuit 260.Voltage signal NC 297 is damped by the operation of capacitor 295 thatis coupled between voltage signal NC 297 and the regulated output V7 299to help smooth out noise. The bandgap voltage, Vbg 268, of 1.1V iscoupled from a band gap reference (not shown) to the gate of transistor266 of the comparator circuit 260. The comparator circuit 260, whenactivated, compares the bandgap voltage, Vbg 268, to the representativeoutput voltage signal NC 297. Current flows through the activecomparator circuit 260 and is divided by a current mirror formed by PMOStransistors 262 and 264, where the gates of PMOS transistors 262 and 264are coupled together and coupled to the drain of transistor 264.Transistor 264 thus operates in diode coupled mode by virtue of its gatebeing coupled to its drain. The coupled gates of PMOS transistors 262and 264 are thus driven at the same potential and will therefore passidentical currents. The current flow from PMOS transistor 264 flowsthrough transistor 270 and is modulated by the representative outputvoltage signal NC 297 that is coupled to the gate of transistor 270.Current flow from PMOS transistor 262 flows through transistor 266 andis modulated by the band gap voltage signal 268 that is coupled to thegate of transistor 266. Current then flows from transistors 270 and 266to the lower power rail through transistor 272. Additional current fromthe comparator circuit 260 can be selectively sourced to the lower powerrail through the use of optional transistor 276, resistors 275, 274, andlinks 277 and 279. As the current flow through transistor 270 and PMOStransistor 264 is modulated by the representative output voltage signalNC 297, the voltage drive to the gate of PMOS transistor 262 and thusthe current flow through transistor 262 is varied. As the gate drivevoltage, Vbg 268, on transistor 266 is held steady by the band gapvoltage reference, the voltage level on node 293 between transistors 266and 262 is varied. Node 293 is coupled to the gate of the voltageregulation transistor 282, and therefore voltage at the gate of voltageregulation transistor 282 is varied in response to the level of theoutput voltage, increasing and decreasing the drive as required toregulate output voltage V7 299 in response to demand.

The output voltage V7 299 is coupled to the final voltage output, V6290, of the voltage regulation circuit 200 via high current switch 228when enabled by signal pgm12v_291, active low. When the voltageregulation circuit 200 is not active, but voltage signal Vread 220 ispresent, circuit node 293 is clamped to the lower power rail viatransistors 280 and 278.

It is noted that arrangements of multiple voltage reduction circuitisolation wells and back bias voltages are possible. It is also notedthat other voltage regulation circuits 200, voltage reduction circuits202, level shifter circuits 236, and comparators 260 utilizingembodiments of the present invention are possible and should be apparentto those skilled in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram of a back bias control circuit 300 of avoltage reduction circuit 202 embodiment of the present invention. Inthe back bias control circuit 300 of FIG. 3, the external voltage inputVpp 302, 212′ is monitored by the back bias control circuit 300 and whenthe external voltage input Vpp 302, 212′ passes a predeterminedthreshold level it is deemed “on” and of such a voltage potential thatit is safe to turn on the back bias of the voltage reduction circuit 202to allow it to be present before Vpp 302, 212′ reaches 12V thereforeavoiding damage to the 10V process input circuit by applying 12V withoutback bias being present. Additionally, the back bias control circuit 300waits until Vpp 302, 212′ passes a threshold level, typically 4V, toavoid the risk of inadvertently reverse biasing the PN diode junctionsof the inherent bipolar transistor formed under the MOS transistor ofthe isolation wells that could happen if Vpp 302, 212′ was still belowthe back bias potential or at ground.

In operation, the external voltage input Vpp 302, 212′ is reduced bypassage through a series of serially connected resistors 304 that areimplemented in one or more isolation wells to reduce the voltage andplace it within the integrated circuit process voltage limits at nodeVppint 308. The number of resistances 304 can be adjusted to allow forsmaller input voltages or to adjust the back bias circuit trigger pointby use of the optional circuit link 306 to short across several of theresistors 304. The voltage at node 308 is dropped two threshold voltagesby being coupled through the two diode coupled PMOS transistors 310 tonode Vpphi_int 312. Vpphi_int 312 in turn is coupled to ground through aseries of serially connected resistors 314 that are also implemented inone or more isolation wells. An inverting schmitt trigger 316 is coupledto node Vpphi_int 312 to detect when the external voltage input Vpp 302,212′ crosses 4V and filter out possible power rail noise or ripples thatare present in the external voltage input Vpp 302, 212′ as it is beingpowered up. The inverting schmitt trigger 316 utilizes hysteresis tofilter the external voltage input Vpp 302, 212′ and the output iscoupled through inverters 328 and 330 to produce the back bias enablesignal, Vpp5v_334, 238′. The output of inverter 328 in combination withthe 12V enable signal, en12V_338, which coupled through inverter 340, ispassed through NAND 332 and produces the enable signal pgm12v_336, 291′for the high current switch 288 of FIG. 2. When the integrated circuitis not in operation, Node Vpphi_int 312 and Vppint 308 are discharged. Alow voltage on the power rail coupled to the gate of PMOS transistor 320couples node Vpphi_int 312 to the lower power rail/ground through thetwo diode coupled transistors 318 coupled to the source of transistor320 and a series of serially connected resistors 326 that areimplemented in one or more isolation wells which are coupled to thedrain of transistor 320. High voltage during discharge operation on thedrain of transistor 320 is coupled to the gate of NMOS transistor 322and turns it on, draining current from node Vppint 308.

It is noted that alternative voltage reduction circuits 202, voltageregulation circuits 200, and back bias control circuits 300 utilizingembodiments of the present invention are possible and should be apparentto those skilled in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure.

CONCLUSION

An improved voltage reduction circuit and method has been described thatincorporates an independently controllable back bias voltage forincreased gate/bulk fields in isolation well voltage reductiontransistors that couple to and reduce external voltages that are toohigh for the integrated circuit process technology limits. The improvedvoltage reduction circuit and method allows for a higher overallavailable voltage and current flow for regulation by the circuit.Additionally, the improved voltage reduction circuit and method reducesvoltage reduction circuit size by allowing for efficient implementationin a single isolation well. Furthermore, the improved voltage reductioncircuit and method includes a back bias voltage control circuit thatturns on and regulates the back bias voltage and avoids the problem ofreverse bias conditions.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the artthat any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose,may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This applicationis intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the presentinvention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention belimited, only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A voltage reduction circuit, comprising: an isolation meanscontaining one or more serially coupled transistors, wherein eachtransistor has its gate coupled to its drain to operate in diode coupledmode and wherein a first transistor of the one or more serially coupledtransistors is coupled to an external voltage input; and a means forapplying a back bias voltage to the isolation means.
 2. The voltagereduction circuit of claim 1, wherein the one or more serially coupledtransistors are PMOS transistors that are serially coupled drain tosource.
 3. The voltage reduction circuit of claim 1, wherein the one ormore serially coupled transistors are NMOS transistors that are seriallycoupled drain to source.
 4. The voltage reduction circuit of claim 1,wherein the means for applying a back bias voltage is adapted to apply aback bias voltage to the isolation well when the external voltage inputreaches a predetermined threshold value.
 5. The voltage reductioncircuit of claim 1, wherein the means for providing a back bias to theisolation means further comprises: a means for providing inputresistance, wherein the input resistance means is coupled to theexternal voltage input; a means for providing output resistance, whereinthe output resistance means is coupled to a lower power rail; and ameans for switching coupled to the input resistance means and to theoutput resistance means, wherein the means for switching selectivelyenables and disables at a predetermined voltage threshold value of theexternal voltage input.
 6. The voltage reduction circuit of claim 1,wherein the means for providing a back bias to the isolation meansfurther comprises: a means for coupling to a supply voltage through afirst resistance means; a means for coupling to a lower power rail; anda second resistance means coupled to the means for coupling to a lowerpower rail and the first resistance means, wherein the first and secondresistance means are coupled to the isolation means to apply a back biasvoltage when the means for coupling to a lower power rail and the meansfor coupling to a supply voltage are enabled.
 7. A voltage regulatorcircuit, comprising: a means for reducing voltage coupled to an externalinput; a means for providing a back bias voltage coupled to the voltagereduction means; and a means for voltage regulation coupled to thevoltage reduction means.
 8. The voltage regulator circuit of claim 7,wherein the voltage reduction means further comprises: a means forisolation containing one or more serially coupled transistors, whereineach transistor has its gate coupled to its drain to operate in diodecoupled mode and wherein a first transistor of the one or more seriallycoupled transistors is coupled to the external input.
 9. The voltageregulator circuit of claim 7, wherein the means for providing a backbias voltage further comprises: a means for providing input resistance,wherein the input resistance means is coupled to the external voltageinput; a means for providing output resistance, wherein the outputresistance means is coupled to a lower power rail; and a means forswitching coupled to the input resistance means and to the outputresistance means, wherein the means for switching selectively enablesand disables at a predetermined voltage threshold value of the externalvoltage input.
 10. The voltage regulator circuit of claim 7, wherein themeans for voltage regulation further comprises: a voltage input coupledto an output of the voltage reduction means; a means for output voltageregulation coupled to the voltage input; a first means for resistancecoupled to the output voltage regulation means and a second means forresistance coupled to a ground; a means for providing a voltagereference; a means for comparison, wherein the means for comparison iscoupled to the voltage reference means and the first and secondresistance means, and wherein the comparison means is coupled to a gateof the output voltage regulation means to regulate the regulated voltageoutput.
 11. The voltage regulator circuit of claim 10, wherein the meansfor voltage regulation further comprises: a voltage level shifter,wherein the voltage level shifter enables the voltage regulation means.12. A back bias control circuit, comprising: a means for providing inputresistance, wherein the input resistance means is coupled to theexternal voltage input; a means for providing output resistance, whereinthe output resistance means is coupled to a lower power rail; and ameans for switching coupled to the input resistance means and to theoutput resistance means, wherein the means for switching selectivelyenables and disables at a predetermined voltage threshold value of theexternal voltage input.
 13. The back bias control circuit of claim 12,further comprising: one or more serially coupled transistors with eachtransistor having its gate coupled to its drain to operate in diodecouple mode, wherein the one or more serially coupled transistors arecoupled between the input resistance means and the switching means. 14.The back bias control circuit of claim 12, wherein the input resistancemeans is adjustable.
 15. The back bias control circuit of claim 12,further comprising: at least one means for discharge, wherein the atleast one discharge means is coupled to the input resistance means andthe output resistance means and wherein the at least one discharge meansdischarges a voltage at the input resistance means and the outputresistance means.
 16. A non-volatile memory device, comprising: a memoryarray containing a plurality of non-volatile memory cells; an addressinterface coupled to a row address decoder and a column address decoder;a control circuit coupled to the memory array and the address interface;and a voltage regulator circuit, wherein the voltage regulator circuitis coupled an external voltage input and the memory array and is adaptedto provide a programming current and a programming voltage when theFlash memory device operates in fast programming mode and wherein thevoltage regulator circuit comprises: a voltage reduction circuit; a backbias control circuit; and a voltage regulation circuit.
 17. Thenon-volatile memory device of claim 16, wherein the voltage reductioncircuit of the voltage regulator circuit further comprises: an isolationwell containing one or more serially coupled transistors, wherein eachtransistor has its gate coupled to its drain to operate in diode coupledmode and wherein a first transistor of the one or more serially coupledtransistors is coupled to the external input.
 18. The non-volatilememory device of claim 16, wherein the back bias control circuit of thevoltage regulator circuit further comprises: one or more seriallycoupled input resistors, wherein each input resistor is formed in anisolation well and wherein a first input resistor is coupled to theexternal input; one or more serially coupled output resistors, whereineach output resistor is formed in an isolation well and a final outputresistor is coupled to a ground; and a schmitt trigger coupled to afinal input resistor of the one or more serially coupled input resistorsand to a first output resistor of the one or more serially coupledoutput resistors, wherein the schmitt trigger selectively activates backbias voltage applied to the voltage reduction circuit at a predeterminedvoltage threshold value of the external input.
 19. The non-volatilememory device of claim 16, wherein the voltage regulation circuit of thevoltage regulator circuit further comprises: a voltage input coupled toan output of the voltage reduction circuit; a regulation transistorcoupled to the voltage input; a regulated voltage output coupled to theregulation transistor; a first resistor coupled to the regulated voltageoutput and second resistor coupled to a ground; a band gap voltagereference; a comparator circuit, wherein the comparator circuit iscoupled to the band gap voltage reference and the first and secondresistors, and wherein the comparator circuit varies a comparatorcircuit output that is coupled to a gate of the regulation transistor toregulate the regulated voltage output.
 20. A system, comprising: aprocessor; and a non-volatile memory device coupled to the processor,wherein the non-volatile memory device comprises: a memory arraycontaining a plurality of non-volatile memory cells; an addressinterface coupled to a row address decoder and a column address decoder;a control circuit coupled to the memory array and the address interface;and a voltage regulator circuit, wherein the voltage regulator circuitis coupled an external voltage input and the memory array and is adaptedto provide a programming current and a programming voltage when thenon-volatile memory device operates in fast programming mode and whereinthe voltage regulator circuit comprises: a voltage reduction circuit; aback bias control circuit; and a voltage regulation circuit.
 21. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the voltage reduction circuit furthercomprises: an isolation well containing one or more serially coupledmetal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors, wherein each MOS transistorhas its gate coupled to its drain to operate in diode coupled mode andwherein a first MOS transistor of the one or more serially coupled MOStransistors is coupled to the external input.
 22. The system of claim20, wherein the back bias control circuit further comprises: one or moreserially coupled input resistors, wherein each input resistor is formedin an isolation well and wherein a first input resistor is coupled tothe external input; one or more serially coupled output resistors,wherein each output resistor is formed in an isolation well and a finaloutput resistor is coupled to a ground; and a schmitt trigger coupled toa final input resistor of the one or more serially coupled inputresistors and to a first output resistor of the one or more seriallycoupled output resistors, wherein the schmitt trigger selectivelyactivates back bias voltage applied to the voltage reduction circuit ata predetermined voltage threshold value of the external input.
 23. Thesystem of claim 20, wherein the voltage regulation circuit: a voltageinput coupled to an output of the voltage reduction circuit; aregulation transistor coupled to the voltage input; a regulated voltageoutput coupled to the regulation transistor; a first resistor coupled tothe regulated voltage output and second resistor coupled to a ground; aband gap voltage reference; a comparator circuit, wherein the comparatorcircuit is coupled to the band gap voltage reference and the first andsecond resistors, and wherein the comparator circuit varies a comparatorcircuit output that is coupled to a gate of the regulation transistor toregulate the regulated voltage output.
 24. A method of operating avoltage reduction circuit, comprising: receiving an external voltagewith a voltage reduction circuit that is formed in an isolation well;generating a selected back bias voltage with a back bias controlcircuit; applying the selected back bias voltage to the isolation wellof the voltage reduction circuit; and reducing the external voltage withthe voltage reduction circuit and outputting a reduced internal voltage.25. The method of claim 24, wherein the received external voltage is12V.
 26. The method of claim 24, wherein applying the selected back biasvoltage to the isolation well of the voltage reduction circuit furthercomprises applying the selected back bias voltage to the isolation wellof the voltage reduction circuit when the external voltage reaches apredetermined threshold value.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein thethreshold value for the external voltage is 5V.
 28. The method of claim24, further comprising: removing the selected back bias voltage from theisolation well of the voltage reduction circuit when the externalvoltage falls below a predetermined threshold value.
 29. The method ofclaim 28, wherein the back bias voltage is 4V.
 30. The method of claim24, further comprising: coupling the reduced internal voltage to avoltage regulation circuit.